Raffi Ahmad Targeted By The Palace For What?

JAKARTA - The name Raffi Ahmad has recently become increasingly popular, not only as a celebrity in the country. He penetrated his fame as a businessman and entrepreneur who was no longer 'tinned' after acquiring the Cilegon FC football club to become Rans Cilegon FC. In fact, the husband of Nagita Slavina has also opened a football school (SSB) as well as a sports facility in several cities in Indonesia.

Raffi Ahmad is also familiar with the circulation of government circles. He is often called by the Palace to meet President Jokowi in his capacity as an artist or a businessman.

The boss of Rans Entertainment has also not once been glanced at by a political party to become a candidate for regional head. The opportunity for Raffi to enter the national politics scene was even more opened after President Jokowi was appointed as the first celebrity to receive a vaccine injection, as well as socializing the government's vaccination program.

Often pacing the Palace, many have recently assumed that Raffi Ahmad would be appointed by President Jokowi as minister. This issue arose after an upload on Raffi's personal Instagram while at the State Palace on Thursday, April 15.

From the post on Instagram @ raffinagita1717, Raffi uploaded two photos. The two photos depict Raffi on the terrace of the State Palace and taking a photo with President Jokowi. In the photo, Raffi is wearing a suit with a blue shirt.

In the upload, Raffi wrote words about a piece of the lyrics of Padamu Negeri, which is our soul and body and to you our country is dedicated. Many netizens suspect Raffi's arrival at the Palace because he has a political agenda.

"You have long been appointed minister," said netizens commenting on Rafathar's father's post.

Indeed, it is reported that President Jokowi is currently working on several new names to enter the cabinet, related to the issue of Volume II reshuffle. Will Raffi be a candidate for Minister? What are the odds?

Political communication expert from UIN Syarif Hidayatullah, Gun Gun Heryanto, assessed that the inclusion of celebrities in practical politics is not a new thing in Indonesia. In the course of politics, artists are often used as voters who are now transforming into candidates, both Pileg and Pilkada.

"The slice of celebrity politics in politics is practically not a new story. In the past, it was dominant to be a vote getter in the election but after reformation, it was not only a vote getter but also a part of a candidate. For example, becoming a legislative candidate or becoming a regional candidate in many places and those were several. some were successful but some failed, "said Gun Gun when contacted by VOI, Friday, April 16.

In fact, he continued, the presence of President Jokowi at the wedding of artist Atta Halilintar also emphasized that celebrity groups, both on social media and in other media such as television or film, are indeed inseparable from the political landscape which now tends to be entertainment or politainment.

"However, especially for Raffi Ahmad, for the recruitment for the position of millennial minister I do not see strong arguments. Including among the available ministry posts," said the Executive Director of The Political Literacy.

Even if the President is going to reshuffle the cabinet, Gun Gun continued, Jokowi will definitely consider the real political power that exists. Namely, the ministerial candidates come from political parties or supporters of their government rather than entering a new basis that is actually needed during electoral competitions or contestations.

"Well, Raffi, does not represent the real power political anchor in the DPR, so I believe Raffi's name is not a priority for the cabinet line-up if there is a second reshuffle," said Gun Gun.

"Put the one who is busy with the Ministry of Investment, or the merger of the Minister of Education and Culture and Research and Technology, that is not the portfolio to Raffi Ahmad. Including if there is a shift in other ministries," he added.

According to Gun Gun, it must be distinguished between Raffi Ahmad as an icon because he has a mass base as a celebrity. Maybe, he is only needed for public relations (public relations, ed) government work, as during the vaccination yesterday.

"Read it as part of the government's PR work to get the widest possible support for vaccination in addition to religious leaders as well as youth leaders who have many followers," he explained.

"So the context is, broadening the resonance of vaccination and of course changing the greater support for the government for the success of the vaccination program itself," Gun Gun added.

It is different if it is related to the Pilkada contestation, according to Gun Gun, it makes more sense to join Raffi Ahmad. For example, being approached by a political party to become a candidate for regional head, such as the issue of becoming a Bacalon mayor of South Tangerang.

"If that is the long history of artists entering politics either as a legislative candidate or regional head. But for this millennial minister the reading is different. (Far, red) I see that there is not a single variable that can be used to position Raffi as a potential name to become a ministerial candidate," explained the political observer who was born in Cianjur.

The reason, Gun Gun added, is clear that the composition of ministers is a representation of political power. First, the key audience, because Indonesia is the big Muslim country, it is certain that NU-Muhammadiyah should be involved.

Second, the strength of the supporting parties in the matter of the presidential election or afterwards is an advantage in power. Third, geopolitical considerations, for example, west-east and gender representation of men and women. Usually there is accommodation as a form of Jokowi's political balance, especially in the context of women's politics in Indonesia.

"And none of that counts Raffi Ahmad. Talking to the minister, the considerations are very difficult if it's just a celebrity," he said.

"Maybe in the future there can be spokespersons, timses, Pilkada candidates, legislative candidates. Because in 2024 there will also be Pilkada," said Gun Gun Heryanto.

Being a domestic celebrity, of course the artist's rupiah pocket that is close to Korean superstar Choi Siwon Super Junior has a business that is booming. Raffi's wealth further increased after marrying artist Nagita Slavina, who has long struggled in the entertainment field.

What are the mega businesses currently being carried out by the artist as Sultan Andara?

1. RANS Entertainment

Having his own brand for various lines of his entertainment business, Raffi Ahmad has successfully provided a place to accommodate many artists in his management.

This management operates on various platforms, from television screens, to cinema film productions, to social media such as YouTube. Not surprisingly, armed with a big name and business talent, Raffi got great success from the business.

2. Culinary

In his own culinary line, Raffi has several products that are managed. Starting from Bakmi RN, which has chicken noodle products with a take away system, then cassava chips and Nagitoz which are marketed in one of the major mini-market franchises in Indonesia, Gigieat Cake, Aa Raffi Chicken, to the modern cafe business called RA Street.

3. Furniture Business with Living Rans

Raffi Ahmad also enlivened the furniture industry with the Rans Living brand. The target is people who need furniture to fill the property they own.

The sale of products from Rans Living itself can not only be found with an online system, but also has a physical store with an offline system.

4. Cilegon United Football Club

It was recently reported that Raffi is again expanding his business into the Indonesian football club segment. Cilegon United became a club that was officially acquired by him, along with Rudy Salim.

The name of the football club was also later changed to RANS Cilegon FC. Not only the football club, Raffi Ahmad also plans to build a soccer school and headquarters for his team to train. Very visionary concept, huh?

Raffi Ahmad's business is quite a lot, so it's no wonder that his income is also fantastic. Coupled with hard work and a willingness to continue learning and trying, now Raffi Ahmad can be said to be one of the most successful Indonesian celebrities in the business sector.

Is Raffi ready to become a minister?